Resilient leveling means for floors



May 12, 197.0k w. R. MORGAN, JR 3,511,001

RESILIENT LEVELING MEANS FOR FLOORS Filed March 14, 1968 3 Sheets-Sheet1 F|G.I

" I' 'i NVIENTOR A I2 l2 WILLIAM R. MORGAN JR.

AT TYS.

May 12, 1970 w. R, MORGAN, JR 3,511,001

v 4 RESILIENT LEVELING MEANS FOR FLOORS Filed March 14, 1968sheets-sheet 2 INVENTOR WILLIAM R. MORGAN JR.

AT TYS.

May 12, 1970 w. R. MORGAN, JR

- RESILIENT LEVELING MEANS FOR FLOORS` 5 ,Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed March14,' 1968 N m .mi

mvENToR WILLIAM RMORGAN, .1R`

United States Patent O ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A iioor constructionof the type including supporting members located above a base and havinga finished floor disposed on the supporting members. The inventionrelates to spacer means which are associated with the supporting memberswhereby the position of the supporting members relative to the base cantbe adjusted. The spacer means include a bolt, a sleeve, a threadedelement and spring means associated with the bolt and located betweenthe supporting members and the threaded element on the bolt. The boltpermits movement of the support means relative to the base while thespring means provides a resilient cushion.

This invention relates to means for resilient leveling of floors. Theinvention vwill be described with reference to the leveling of floors ingymnasiums or the like. It Will be understood, however7 that the instantinvention is directly applicable to various other uses, and thedescription in this case is not limited to athletic areas.

In the installation of floors in gymnasiums, it is necessary to take agreat deal of care in order to insure that the floor will be level.'I'his is, of course, necessary, for example where the floor is to beused as a basketball court.

In constructing a floor, the usual practice is to provide a concretebase. Sleepers, and/or a sub-floor are then located above this base, andthe finished floor is secured thereto. Inserts may be located at someintermediate point to provide a cushioning effect. This is desirable inorder to increase the give of the floor since a floor of this type ismuch more desirable from the standpoint of the comfort and endurance ofpersons running on the floor. Thus, a very solid floor without give cancause athletes to ybecome leg-weary much more quickly, and can alsoresult in injuries.

In order to provide a level floor constructed in the manner described,it is necessary to make sure that the concrete base is exactly level.Thus, variations in the concrete -base will be directly reflected asvariations in the finished floor.

Relatively expensive techniques are employed for providing a levelconcrete floor. Such expansive techniques are required since concretewill harden, settle, expand and contract in an unpredictable manner.After hardening of the concrete, it usually becomes `necessary toleveloff high spots in the floor, for example, by grinding, and toAfill-in lower spots byapplying additional Wet concrete, orspecialleveling materials.

Various, means have been devise with a view toward adjusting floorlevels even lwhere a concrete base may not be level. Examples of suchdevices are found in Whittaker Pat. No. Re. 16,416, ACinnamond Pat. No.1,599,745, and Bailey Pat. No. 3,211,454. These devices are, however,considered unsatisfactory for various reasons. They are considered toIbe difficult to insert, or unduly'difcult to operate, and this leads toadditional eX- pense which tends to offset the value of eliminating theneed for leveling the concrete.

It is a general object of this invention to provide an improved devicefor use in leveling lioor constructions Patented May 12, 1970 ACCwhereby the floor constructions can be provided completely level in arelatively economical fashion.

It is a further object of this invention to provide devices of the typedescribed which include resilient parts whereby cushioning means can beassociated with a lioor in combination with the adjusting means.

These and other objects of this invention will appear hereinafter andfor purposes of illustration, but not of limitation, specificembodiments of the invention are shown in the accompanying drawings inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a perspective View, partly cut away, illustrating a floorconstruction which includes devices of the type contemplated by thisinvention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view taken about theline 2-2 of FIG. 1 and illustrating a device of the type contemplated bythe invention;

FIG. 3 is a view corresponding to FIG. 2 and illustrating a device at adifferent position relative to the base and floor supporting member;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional View illustrating a modified form ofthe invention;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view illustrating an additionalmodification of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a detail view of a spring design suitable for use in theleveling means;

FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate alternate versions of bearing plates suitablefor use in the leveling means; and

FIG. 9 is a plan view, partly cut away, illustrating application of theinvention to a floor including sleepers and an overlying suboor.

This invention generally relates to a floor construction wherein floorsupporting members are maintained in spaced-apart relationship above abase. The supporting members may comprise sleepers or panels which willbe disposed beneath the finished floor. In the case of a hard- Woodfloor for example, the hardwood strips are nailed to sleepers or panelswhich are in turn mounted immediately above a base construction. Thebase construction, in typical applications, consists of a concrete slabdisposed over a gravel base.

When considering the following description, it will be appreciated thatthe finished floor may comprise a wide variety 0f arrangements, forexample carpeting, tile, or merely a coating such as paint.

The particular improvement of the invention comprises unique spacermeans which maintain the sleepers or other supporting members inspaced-apart relationship with respect to the underlying base. Thespacer members each include a bolt received in an opening defined in asupporting member. A threaded element is connected to each bolt, andspring means are interposed between each -bolt and its associatedthreaded element. The spring means Ibear against the supporting memberswhile the bolts are freely received in the openings defined by thesupporting members.

The-arrangement of the invention provides for adjustment inv that theposition 0f each bolt can be changed relative to the supporting members.Accordingly, thesupporting members can be adjusted until a completelylevel arrangement is provided.

The devices of this invention also provide a high degree of resiliencein that the spring means permit relative movement between the supportingmembers and the bolts in response to applied forces. For example, aperson running on the surface of the floor will apply localized forceswhich will result in give by the floor. This provides a cushioningeffect; however, the spring action will restore the floor to a levelcondition.

FIG. l of the accompanying drawings illustrates a floor constructionwhich includes devices of the type contemplated by this invention. Theconstruction is formed by providing a layer of gravel and a concreteslab 12 over the gravel. Supporting members 14 are disposed above theconcrete slab, and a finished fioor 16 is applied over the supportingmembers.

FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate a device 18 employed for maintaining thesupporting members 14 in spaced-apart relationship with respect to theslab 12. Although the supporting members 14 are illustrated in FIG. l aspanels, it will be appreciated when considering FIGS. 2 and 3 that thedevices 18 could be readily associated with conventional sleepers.

The devices 18 comprise a bolt which defines a threaded shank 20 and ahead 22. The head 22 is received within a sleeve 24 which is press fitwithin an opening 26 defined by the supporting member 14. If desired,the exterior surface of the sleeve 24 may be knurled to insure a tight1it of the sleeve within the opening 26.

`A nut 28 is threaded onto the shank 20 of the bolt, and a washer 30 isinterposed between the nut and spring 32. The spring 32 is of modified Ushape with the outer edges 34 bearing against a plate 36. This plate issituated directly against the under surface of the supporting member andagainst the bottom wall of the sleeve 24.

The sleeve defines an open top whereby the head 22 of the bolt isaccessible from above the supporting member. An in-turned annular fiange38 is formed at the bottom of the sleeve 24, and the shank 20 of thebolt passes freely through the opening defined by the flange. The head22 of the bolt will, however, be restrained by the flange when the boltis at an extreme lower position within the sleeve.

The head 22 and shank 20 are preferably snugly received within therespective openings provided by the sleeve, since this lends stabilityto the assembly. Gaps are shown in the accompanying drawings primarilyfor purposes of illustrating the relationship of the parts.

As indicated by a comparison of FIGS. 2 and 3, the device of thisinvention permits variations in the spacing between the supportingmembers 14 and the concrete slab 12. It will be apparent that the uppersurface of the concrete slab need not be uniform since the supportingmembers can be brought to the same level by rotating the bolts of therespective devices 18.

The devices also provide an ideal arrangement for cushioning thesupporting members. The springs 32, in combination with the mounting forthe bolts, permit relative movement between the bolts and the supportingmembers in response to the application of localized forces. Obviously,the springs can be brought to a desired temper in order to providesuitable cushioning while also insuring that restoration of thesupporting members to a level condition will take place.

FIG. 4 illustrates a modification of the invention wherein a device 40is associated with a supporting member 14. The device includes a sleeve42 secured withinv an opening 44 in the supporting member. A bolt 46 isreceived Iwithin the bore of the sleeve 42, and a nut 48 lis attached tothe bolt shank beneath the lower end of the sleeve. A washer 50 andspring 52 function in the manner previously described. In this instance,however, the bottom surface 54 of the sleeve 42 serves as a bearingplate for the outer edges 56 of the U-shaped spring. An annular shoulder58 is defined by the sleeve 42 to provide for positioning of the sleeverelative to the supporting member. Adjustment of the device 40 can beaccomplished through the open top of the sleeve, and the spring 52 willprovide the desired cushioning.

The design of FIG. 4 is especially suitable where the concrete base isvery uneven. Thus, a relatively large separation of the supportingmember 4 can be achieved with respect to the base even though theexposure of the shank of the bolt 46 beneath the sleeve 42 is not toogreat. With this minimum exposure of the shank beneath the sleeve,stability can be achieved even when the -bolt rests on a very unevensurface. The design of FIG. 4 also provides advantages where thesupporting member 14 is relatively thin since the shoulder portions ofthe sleeve 42 extend downwardly from the supporting member therebyadding to the effective thickness.

FIG. 5 illustrates an additional modification comprising a device 60associated with supporting member 62. A sleeve 64 is fitted within anopening 66 defined by the supporting member. Bolt 68 extends outwardlyfrom the sleeve into threaded engagement with an opening 69 in theelement 70. As shown in FIG. 6, the ele-ment 71) includes wings y72which provide spring action. The modification of FIG. 5 thus providesfor the elimination of a nut while accomplishing the advantages of thestructures previously described.

The bearing plate 74 shown in FIGS. 5 and 7 is especially suitable foruse in conjunction with the element 70. The bearing plate includesanchoring spurs 76 which provide for rigid attachment of the plate tothe underside of the supporting member 62. The lateral flanges 78 of thebearing plate confine the element 70 to prevent the element fromrotating as the bolt shank turns.

A coil spring 80 may be interposed between the head 82 of the bolt, andthe annular flange 84 of the sleeve. This coil spring in combinationwith a bearing plate of the type shown at 74 prevents turning of thebolt which might result due to vibrations created by traffic on thefioor. A coil spring of this type may be included in devices of the typeshown in FIGS. 2 and 4.

FIG. 8 illustrates a modified bearing plate 86. This bearing plateincludes side walls '88 which terminate in inwardly extending fianges90. These fianges fit underneath the spring 70 when utilized in aconstruction as shown in FIG. 5 to thereby hold the spring andassociated bolt 68 in the raised position prior to location on theconcrete.

The use of devices of the type described permits adjustment of fioorlevelers without requiring any high degree of care in the formation ofthe underlying concrete slab or other base construction. It will beappreciated that panels or sleepers can be put into place, and thenfinal adjustments made to insure a level arrangement. At this time, thefinished floor can be laid over the supporting members with theassurance that the final construction will be level. In the event,however, that some portions, for any reason, should be out of a levelplane, then the finished floor can be taken up in localized areas toprovide the desired corrections. If this becomes necessary, thesupporting members need not be disturbed since all of the adjustingdevices are accessible from above the supporting members.

FIG. 9 illustrates application of the invention to an arrangementcomprising sleepers 92 having the devices 18 associated therewith.Plywood subfloor panels 94 are supported on the sleepers and thefinished floor 96 is then located on the subfloor.

The lower ends of the bolt Shanks 20 may rest directly on the concreteslab, particularly if fiat ends are provided. If desired, however, afoot plate could be situated beneath each bolt to avoid any possibilityof the bolts digging into the concrete or base construction and therebydestroying a level condition.

References have been made to the provision of a finished floorimmediately above the supporting members which carry the adjustingdevices. In addition, as shown in FIG. 9 this invention contemplates thelocation of a subfloor between supporting members and a finished floor.It is also contemplated that the adjusting devices could rest on someintermediate structures rather than directly on the surface of aconcrete slab or other supporting base.

It will be understood that various changes and modifications can be madein the above described construction which provide the characteristics ofthis invention.

That which is claimed is:

1. In a floor construction wherein floor supporting members aremaintained in spaced-apart relationship above a base, and wherein afinished floor is positioned above said supporting members, theimprovement comprising spacer means for maintaining said supportingmembers in said spaced-apart relationship with the base, said spacermeans each including a bolt, openings extending completely through saidsupporting members for freely receiving each bolt, a threaded elementconnected to each bolt, and spring means extending between theundersurface of said supporting members and said threaded element, saidbolt providing for adjustment of an associated supporting memberrelative to said base and said spring means providing a cushion beneaththe supporting member.

2. A construction in accordance with claim 1 including a sleeve securedwithin each of the openings in the supporting members, the shank of eachbolt being freely received within said sleeve.

3. A construction in accordance with claim 2 wherein the bottom of eachsleeve defines an inwardly directed ange, the shank of each bolt beingfreely received within the opening defined by the flange, an enlargedhead defined by each bolt, and wherein the heads of the bolts engage theflange when the bolts are moved to an extreme lower position relative tothe sleeve.

4. A construction in accordance with claim 3 including a coil springfitted around the shank of each bolt, said coil spring being interposedbetween the head of each bolt and the inwardly directed flange of eachsleeve.

5. A construction in accordance with claim 3 including a shoulderdefined around the exterior surface of each sleeve, the upper sectionsof each sleeve being press t within the openings defined by thesupporting members, said shoulders engaging the underside of thesupporting members to thereby position the sleeves relative to thesupporting members.

6. A construction in accordance with claim S wherein said spring meanscomprises a U-shaped element having a central opening for receiving theshank of said bolt, the outer edges of the spring means engaging theunder surface of said sleeve.

7. A construction in accordance with claim 3 wherein the bottom of eachsleeve extends to a position substantially ush with the underside of thesupporting members.

8. A construction in accordance with claim 7 including a bearing plateassociated with each sleeve, said bearing plate having one side inengagement with the under surface of the supporting members, an openingdefined by the bearing plate for receiving said bolt, the oppositesurface of said bearing plate engaging said spring means.

9. A construction in accordance with claim 1 wherein said supportingmembers comprise sleeper elements positioned in spaced-apart locationsbeneath said finished flooring or beneath a subooring.

10. A construction in accordance with claim 1 wherein said supportingmeans comprise large sheets of material, and including openings dened bythe supporting means for communication with said bolt.

11. A construction in accordance with claim 1 wherein said openings insaid supporting members extend through the upper surface of thesupporting members whereby said bolts are accessible from the uppersurface to provide for adjustment.

12. A construction in accordance with claim 1 wherein said spring meansincludes a central portion defining an opening for receiving said bolt,and wherein said threaded element comprises a nut bearing against thecentral portion of said spring means.

13. In a oor construction wherein floor supporting members aremaintained in spaced-apart relationship above a base, and wherein afinished floor is positioned above said supporting members, theimprovement comprising spacer means for maintaining said supportingmembers in said spaced-apart relationship with the base, said spacermeans each including a bolt, openings in said supporting members forreceiving each bolt, a threaded element connected to each bolt, andspring means extending between each bolt and its associated threadedelement, said threaded element comprising a section formed integrallywith said spring means, a threaded opening being defined in said sectionfor engagement with said bolt, said spring means consisting of wingportions extending outwardly from said section, said bolt providing foradjustment of an associated supporting member relative to said base andsaid spring means providing a cushion beneath the supporting member.

14. A construction in accordance with claim 13 including a bearing plateassociated with each sleeve, said bearing plate having one side inengagement with the under surface of a supporting member, an openingdefined by the bearing plate for receiving said bolt, and wherein saidwing portions extend into engagement with the opposite side of saidbearing plate.

15. A construction in accordance with claim 14 wherein said bearingplate defines downwardly extending side members for engagement with theside edges of said spring means to confine said spring means againstrotary movement.

16. A construction in accordance with claim 15 including inwardlydirected flanges formed along the bottom edge of each of said sidemembers, said flanges engaging the under surface of said spring means.

17. In a floor construction wherein floor supporting members aremaintained in spaced-apart relationship above a base, and wherein afinished floor is positioned above said supporting members, theimprovement comprising spacer means for maintaining said supportingmembers in said spaced-apart relationship with the base, said spacermeans each including a bolt, openings in said supporting members, asleeve secured within each of the openings in the supporting members,the shank of each bolt being freely received within said sleeve, thebottom of each sleeve defining an inwardly directed flange, the shank ofeach bolt being freely received within the opening defined by theflange, an enlarged head defined by each bolt, the heads of the boltsengaging the flanges when the bolts are moved to an extreme lowerposition relative to the sleeves, the bottom of each sleeve extending toa position substantially flush with the undersurface of the supportingmembers, a threaded element connected to each bolt, and spring meansextending between the undersurface of said supporting member and thethreaded element, a bearing plate associated with each sleeve, saidbearing plate having one side in engagement with the undersurface of thesupporting members, an opening defined by the bearing plate forreceiving said bolt, the opposite surface of said bearing plate engagingsaid spring means, said spring means comprising a U-shaped element, andwherein the outer portions of said spring means engage said bearingplate, said bolt providing for adjustment of an associated supportingmember relative to said base and said spring means providing a cushionbeneath the supporting member.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Re. 16,416 9/1926 Whittaker52-126 1,319,949 10/1919 Curran et al. 248-350 X 1,599,745 9/ 1926Cinnamond 52-365 1,948,600 2/1939 Templeton 52-126 2,743,487 5/ 1956Kuhlman 52-480 X 3,211,454 10/1965 Bailey 52-126 X 3,308,587 3/1967Gilroy et al 52--126 3,316,680 5/1967 Chrastek 52--126 PRICE C. FAW,JR., Primary Examiner U.S. Cl. X.R.

